S. Korean animation ‘Empty’ tops Tehran animation festival

‘The Empty’ by South Korean director Jeong Dahee has grabbed the best film award at the 10th edition of the Tehran International Animation Festival (TIAF).

The main organizer of the festival, Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (IIDCYA), honored the winners on Thursday during a ceremony held at the institute.

After the Korean production that topped the international section, silver award went to ‘Erlking’ directed by Georges Schwizgebel from Switzerland, and bronze award was presented to ‘Pik Pik Pik’ by Dmitry Vysotskiy from Russia.

The festival jury presented the CIFEJ (the Centre International du Film pours l’Enfance et la Jeuneusse) Award to ‘Mom-Heron’ directed by Marina Karpova from Russia.

Several winners were honored in the Iranian animation category, including Farnoush Abedi’s ‘The Servant’ with gold award, Mehdi Khorramian’s ‘The Switchman’ with silver award, and ‘Jamshid; A Lament for a Myth’ made by Moein Samadi with bronze award.

Hajar Mehrani and Maryam Chalesh received the best screenplay award for their version of Sadeq Hedayat’s play ‘Dash Akol’.

The best animator award was given to Hossein Molayemi, Amir-Saeed Alvandi and Azad Maroufi for ‘Run, Rostam, Run’.

The festival paid tribute to 79-year-old Iranian painter, book illustrator, animator and sculptor, Ali-Akbar Sadeqi with the lifetime achievement award.

The late filmmaker and photographer Abbas Kiarostami, who began his career as a filmmaker with the IIDCYA was also commemorated at the ceremony.

The festival was held in various cinemas and cultural centers in the capital, Tehran, as well as provincial cinemas.

The Tehran International Animation Festival is a competitive event which takes place biennially. The main goal is to promote animation and broaden cultural interchange.

TIAF is not specified just for children and young adults, but any kind of artistic animated films, including those for children, young adults and adults section, can be sent to the festival.

MG/RSH